Illawarra Steelers have defeated Sydney Roosters 42-32 to book a spot in the UNE SG Ball Cup Grand Final next weekend.
The Roosters opened the scoring at H.E. Laybutt Field through winger Kyron Fekitoa after seven minutes. With the Roosters in the lead, the Steelers began to wrestle back momentum as they piled on four unanswered tries. The Roosters hit back through Jordan Swann who brought the score to 24-10 at the break.
Fekitoa and Steelers five-eighth Junior Amone both scored hat-tricks for the match and further tries to Corey Ross, Ethan King from the Roosters and Tyrell Sloane for the Steelers kept the scoreboard ticking over.
With plenty of exciting footy on show from both sides, it was the goal kicking of Alexander Lobb from the Steelers, who kicked seven from seven, which helped push his side out to a 10-point lead.
Illawarra Steelers will now face off against Canberra Raiders in next Saturday’s Grand Final to be played at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney at 3pm.
Tarsha Gale Cup
Meanwhile, the Steelers were defeated 22-4 by the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy in their Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup Semi-Final clash at H.E. Laybutt Field in Sydney.
A first half double to Roosters winger Charlize Lloyd-Phillips and a try to Ruby Smith saw the Roosters lead 12-0 heading into halftime.
It was much of the same at the start of the second half as the Zoe Cass and Keilee Joseph both ran in tries to give the tricolours an unassailable 20-0 lead. Smith was successful with a penalty goal in the 41st minute and the game looked out of reach for the second-placed Steelers.
The Steelers picked up a consolation four pointer to winger Annabel McDonald who crashed over with two minutes remaining bringing the final score to 22-4.
The Roosters take on St George in the Grand Final, after the Dragons upset Minor Premiers Newcastle Knights 26-10 in the other semi-final.
Match reports thanks to nswrl.com.au
Image: Allan Barry
